Pancreatic cancer has one of the poorest survival rates of all cancers, with less than 4% of individuals alive five years after diagnosis, often because patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Research into novel screening methods (such as automated assessments of clinical records or blood tests) to identify individuals at a high risk of pancreatic cancer is required, for example:
1) Investigating novel risk factors for pancreatic cancer within the UK Biobank cohort study.
2) Investigating the role of clinical risk factors and serum biomarkers for identifying individuals at a high risk of pancreatic cancer using data from the UK Biobank cohort study
3) To investigate the factors related to progression from pre-malignant pancreatic cysts to pancreatic cancer.

This project will entail detailed epidemiological analysis using UK cohort data to investigate the role of clinical risk factors and serum biomarkers in identifying individuals at a high risk of pancreatic cancer to facilitate targeted screening and early detection.

The student will gain substantial experience in the statistical analysis of large datasets. This project would be suitable for a student with a background in a health-related subject (e.g. public health, epidemiology, pharmacy, nursing) or a quantitative subject (e.g. maths, statistics). 

Funding 

*SUBJECT TO FUNDING*

For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the following link: View Website

Entry Requirements 

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant public health, psychology, economics or social sciences subject

English Language

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/English-language-requirements/#English

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/

Supervisors

Dr A Kunzmann

Dr H Coleman

How to Apply

Please refer to 'Entry Requirements' for specific admissions criteria.

Apply online via the Queen's on-line application portal .  Guidance is available on the University’s Prospective Student pages.

When applying for a project, please choose ‘MEDICINE’ as your subject area/School.

Please ensure you adhere to the closing dates.

If you have any further queries please contact:  pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk  or +44 (0) 28 9097 2619/2042.

Please visit the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Public Health, website for further details about the Centre